TCU Sociology Students Pump Up Senior Citizens

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FORT WORTH (CBS11) – Every Thursday morning along the Trinity Trail in Fort Worth you'll find acts of generosity being spread one bike ride at a time.

Led by their professor, Dr. Keith Whitworth, TCU sociology students come out to give senior citizens from the Trinity Terrace retirement community bike rides.

This is all part of an international program called Cycling Without Age. The goal is to help seniors with mobility limitations experience the joy of a bike ride.

The seniors are loaded on to specially designed rickshaws where they sit comfortably. The students do all the pedaling.

"They are understanding a little bit more about the elderly population and the changing demographics," said Dr. Whitworth.

The students and seniors say they look forward to the bike rides because of the friendships being formed across generations.

Sociology student Bryce Cherry, 28, is one of the "pilots" on the bike.  He said he loves coming out to offer his time and help create smiles.

"I love it," said Cherry.

The 15 to 40 minute bike rides are said to be therapeutic as well.

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